To wear or not to wear

[RDubya]

I've only been a fan of wearing reps for about 4 years or so. Way back when I had less responsibility and made great money, I had a gen rolex that I could afford, and wore often with pride in private and in public. As times/situations/jobs changed I sold the watch as I needed the money. I always regretted it, until the day I purchased my noob rollie, which, in my opinion, was a very, very (and still is) good replica on many levels. I still wear it on occasion and never once has anyone (friend, family, co-worker, stranger, unfamiliar, or otherwise) questioned, challenged, suggested, or hinted it was anything other than the genuine article.

Of course, I also never sported a rep where the real gen's value was totally beyond likelihood anyone in my tax bracket could possibly own, neither have I purchased/worn if I wasnt satisfied after doing my homework it was a quality replica that, for my rep enthusiast purposes, "looked" and "felt" real enough so I could wear in private and in public without someone questioning me about it. But it was always for me, not to impress other people, I really like watches.

I figured it was my little secret, as my daily life includes circles of college educated, predominantly middle class American peers with moderate incomes, where most of the affluent folks around here wear rolexes (and that's about were their high end watch familiarity ends). IMO, only a select few group of people recognize, identify, and conceive the potential value/worth/or possess the acumen to question authenticity of a great rep.

Recently my rep wearing world was a bit shattered, when a friendly fellow forum member mentioned he never ever wears his reps in public. Reason? He said the folks in his country would never ever accept that he could genuinely afford the real deal, despite that the gen version of his great rep watch has an expensive, albeit relatively speaking, not all together exorbitant value. Although I've always had the interpretation that the folks in his country (a first world power) have always been, and still are much more class conscious than us here in the states, where 65-70% of Americans are middle class, I suddenly realized I've maybe been too complacent and should start wearing my carefully selected reps with a bit more discretion in public?

This has never really been an issue for me before. I seldom care what other folks think, but then my rep collection has grown quite a bit this year, and I'm wearing more diverse models with their genuine counterparts having higher values, and to the cynical but tuned eye, might work to discredit my public standing if only so very superficially.

Of course, America is full of pretentious posers, with many of my female coworkers for example sporting rep Louis Vuitton bags and driving leased BMW's, while living in an apartment and making squat. My modest car is paid for and so is my mortgage (monthly), but I do enjoy me some nice reps.

Like my friend from the forum, should I also just be content to wear my reps in private/at home? Who the hell cares? To each his own? Apples & Oranges?

Again, any rep I have purchased from a forum approved collector that I received, I have promptly returned or sold if I felt they fell short of what a believable, quality rep should be, and figured if the rep can fool me it'll fool almost anyone else.

I'm curious to know how many of you people wear your reps in public, if this was ever an issue/consideration, etc etc. I'd really like to hear both sides. Cheers!

[TeeJay]

Given that the only watches I own are reps, yes, I wear them in public without a second thought. I agree with a lot of what you've said, but for me, this is the point which sums up my own reasons for wearing a rep:

But it was always for me, not to impress other people, I really like watches.

As I was just explaining to another forum friend, the reason why I built a vintage sub, and then beat it up to look the age the case should be, is anonymity. I don't want the watch to attract attention. I don't want people to notice it and wonder how much it's worth. All I want, is a watch which serves my needs, and, in this instance, if someone else was to notice it, I'd hope that they just think "What a beaten up POS", without even looking close enough to see the R-Word on the dial

Admitedly, mine's a real bastardization from several models of Subs over the years, but I think if the parts involved were genuine, then the accumulative value would still likely be quite high. Not a watch I could afford to buy myself, but, plausibly something I might have inherited, and while I'd be happy to explain to anyone who asked that it is a rep, and I did build it myself, I'd hope that they never even gave it enough thought to ask

Awesome topic, by the way, I think there'll be some enlightening answers

[If you see Kay]

Hahhh hahh..

that is the reason why I sold my holy grail watch. A Rollie DD Glacier blue roman numerals version. A gen of that is worth 40K US!!!

I've always wanted that watch, bought it and then figured that it was too much watch for me, even though I have enough to afford that and then some.

That is why I wear reps that are less than 10K in the gen. valuation. I can wear that knowing that i can afford oone of those quite comfortable, (but choose not, because I know the value of wise investments and prudent savings.) In fact, I came within millimetres of purchasing a gen Omega PO 42mm last night to replace my Sead 4th gen version, only to come to my senses that what I have is sufficient enough to fullfill my needs.

[danzeman22]

Hey,

Interesting topic and i will have a go at replying quickly...

I never wear my reps in public only have them to look at and play with, now i am selling out of reps all together and sticking with my gen rollies. Why you might ask? well my views on this have changed recently after reading a few articles and becoming a bit more informed.

I also recently read about cartel involvement in the manufacture of replica handbags, shoes and watches and the human rights issues that go along with them. Children forced to work, mothers, daughters and older people forced to work for little pay and punishment. The rep industry supports some of the most violent and ruthless criminals in the world and all for what? so we can feel a bit better about ourselves wearing a "faux" rolex or whatever the brand? It is plain selfish and a movement i do not want to be part of anymore.

So if you can't afford a 10 or 20 grand watch buy what you can afford and don't pretend to be someone your not, you are only selling out yourself.

On a second note, i have a leased cls63 amg, doesn't mean i can't afford it but for tax purposes it works out better Idiots buy cars outright (unless its a collector e.g. rolls royce).... Most heavily depreciating items known to man.

[If you see Kay]

Hey,

Interesting topic and i will have a go at replying quickly...

I never wear my reps in public only have them to look at and play with, now i am selling out of reps all together and sticking with my gen rollies. Why you might ask? well my views on this have changed recently after reading a few articles and becoming a bit more informed.

I also recently read about cartel involvement in the manufacture of replica handbags, shoes and watches and the human rights issues that go along with them. Children forced to work, mothers, daughters and older people forced to work for little pay and punishment. The rep industry supports some of the most violent and ruthless criminals in the world and all for what? so we can feel a bit better about ourselves wearing a "faux" rolex or whatever the brand? It is plain selfish and a movement i do not want to be part of anymore.

So if you can't afford a 10 or 20 grand watch buy what you can afford and don't pretend to be someone your not, you are only selling out yourself.

On a second note, i have a leased cls63 amg, doesn't mean i can't afford it but for tax purposes it works out better Idiots buy cars outright (unless its a collector e.g. rolls royce).... Most heavily depreciating items known to man.

well, cartels and their sinister activities are beyond the scope of what the OP wanted to hear about, imho, but I wont stop wearing reps because of that. There are lots of other goods that have less than noble backgrounds to them.

I wear all my reps in public and don't mind people sneaking a peek at them, or even commenting on them.

[TeeJay]

Hey,

Interesting topic and i will have a go at replying quickly...

I never wear my reps in public only have them to look at and play with, now i am selling out of reps all together and sticking with my gen rollies. Why you might ask? well my views on this have changed recently after reading a few articles and becoming a bit more informed.

I also recently read about cartel involvement in the manufacture of replica handbags, shoes and watches and the human rights issues that go along with them. Children forced to work, mothers, daughters and older people forced to work for little pay and punishment. The rep industry supports some of the most violent and ruthless criminals in the world and all for what? so we can feel a bit better about ourselves wearing a "faux" rolex or whatever the brand? It is plain selfish and a movement i do not want to be part of anymore.

So if you can't afford a 10 or 20 grand watch buy what you can afford and don't pretend to be someone your not, you are only selling out yourself.

On a second note, i have a leased cls63 amg, doesn't mean i can't afford it but for tax purposes it works out better Idiots buy cars outright (unless its a collector e.g. rolls royce).... Most heavily depreciating items known to man.

Interesting perspective, but, it does rather rely on the end buyer only buying rep goods for the associated prestige value, rather than simply an appreciation for the form aesthetically. I can certainly understand the moral point you raise as well, in the same way that I can understand why some people choose to be vegetarians or vegans, but, I don't feel strongly enough about that issue to actually abstain myself. Certainly not when so many premium products are made under less than ideal conditions anyway (sneakers, for example)

Wearing a rep does not automatically mean that the person is doing so to 'pretend to be someone they're not', and I wouldn't label someone accordingly, in fact, I'd think less about the person who bought the genuine item, and thought that the ability to do so actually meant something, or made them a better person, than I would about the person who buys a rep. That said, I would look very unfavorably on someone who bought a rep and tried to pass it off as genuine, if asked politely about it.

One thing's for sure, I'd take the members of this forum, over the snobs of gen forums any day

[danzeman22]

well, cartels and their sinister activities are beyond the scope of what the OP wanted to hear about, imho, but I wont stop wearing reps because of that. There are lots of other goods that have less than noble backgrounds to them. I wear all my reps in public and don't mind people sneaking a peek at them, or even commenting on them.

Each to their own. It is one of my reasons for not wearing them and subsequently selling them

[danzeman22]

Interesting perspective, but, it does rather rely on the end buyer only buying rep goods for the associated prestige value, rather than simply an appreciation for the form aesthetically. I can certainly understand the moral point you raise as well, in the same way that I can understand why some people choose to be vegetarians or vegans, but, I don't feel strongly enough about that issue to actually abstain myself. Certainly not when so many premium products are made under less than ideal conditions anyway (sneakers, for example)Wearing a rep does not automatically mean that the person is doing so to 'pretend to be someone they're not', and I wouldn't label someone accordingly, in fact, I'd think less about the person who bought the genuine item, and thought that the ability to do so actually meant something, or made them a better person, than I would about the person who buys a rep. That said, I would look very unfavorably on someone who bought a rep and tried to pass it off as genuine, if asked politely about it.One thing's for sure, I'd take the members of this forum, over the snobs of gen forums any day

TeeJay we meet again

I agree about the moral issues, it was just an eye opener for me and something i had never really associated with the rep watch industry ( kids losing arms etc... pulled at my heart strings i guess)

That is why i never wore the reps out of the house, i didnt want questions etc... I think a large portion of people with reps would pass them off and are using them as quasi status symbols or status builders.

Each to their own and i still will enjoy reading the rep forums etc...

[robertk]

Very nice topic and great replies. The only question I have is if you don't wear them in public, where do you wear them?

I, of course, wear them everywhere. in public...................and in private!

[ammandel]

Interesting topic, and discussions like this come up over and over. It's kinda part and process of the whole essence of our hobby. That beyond the items themselves, they hold a secret intruige!

So, let me start by saying; we on this forum sometimes take it way too far. Because watches is our 'thing' we forget that most people simply don't notice what watch your wearing in the first place. Beyond that, I think I could ask numerous amounts of people if they knew what 'Hublot' and 'Panerai' are, to recieve no response. This is an extremely important factor, because while you're worrying about what wearing a rep is gonna do for your image and credibility, you're forgetting most people won't ever even notice. Think about it; before you had the interest in watches you do now, did you really look at other peoples wrists in public?

It was my understanding that most of us at this stage in the hobby (actual replica 'collectors') quite simply love watches, and good watch design. People are buying the designs they like as if they had the choice and money wasn't 'so much' of an issue.

I don't think theres any question that if we could all own gens of all the watches we wanted we would (bar the exception of the modding few that really love being part of the process).

Wearing replicas is purely aspirational, people love something to aspire to after all.

and still are much more class conscious than us here in the states, where 65-70% of Americans are middle class,

I had to giggle abit when I read this, and it's meant as no offense.. but are you actually suggesting 65-70% of Americans are middle class? In an ideal world this is how it would be, and actually its this type of distribution that Obama talks about constantly. 'Spreading the wealth' as it were, to get that kind of figure.

As it stands however, that is highly inaccurate.

I'd hope that they just think "What a beaten up POS", without even looking close enough to see the R-Word on the dial

TJ your input always interests me, because I feel like you feel slightly resentful towards gens and the gen industry in general.

Yet I wonder why you don't purchase sterile dials if you are not guilty of the same emulation and aspiration to the branding and aspiration to the luxury goods market in general. I think you personally promote the idea of utilitarian usage and enjoyment of the products, however ownership of Replica Rolex and Louis Vuitton would go beyond this!

Because after all, it is the wearing the rep of a Rolex that has contributed highly to Rolex's renowned global brand status in the first place.

[Logan]

I wear my reps everywhere with only two exceptions:

1/ Critical business meetings where the consequences (however small) of being called out over a fake are not worth the risk. I own some gens anyway for these days.

2/ Visiting high end watch stores where theres a higher chance of a rep being spotted. Also I think its bad manners to wear a fake to an AD anyway.

[TeeJay]

TeeJay we meet again

I agree about the moral issues, it was just an eye opener for me and something i had never really associated with the rep watch industry ( kids losing arms etc... pulled at my heart strings i guess)

That is why i never wore the reps out of the house, i didnt want questions etc... I think a large portion of people with reps would pass them off and are using them as quasi status symbols or status builders.

Each to their own and i still will enjoy reading the rep forums etc...

Indeed, it's a small forum

Do you have a link to an article about that (kids losing arms etc), I'd certainly be interested to read it As above, I can understand the moral aspect, but, I know that many legitimate prestige products are equally made under such conditions, and will continue to be, so avoiding rep goods really wouldn't make much of an impact, as the other goods would still be being produced, it's like I said about vegetarianism. I totally understand why someone would choose not to eat meat on moral grounds, I just don't share that belief.

Out of curiosity, what was it about the questions which you didn't want? Was it a case of not wanting to 'get called out' wearing a rep, or just not wanting to discuss a watch at all? I only ask as personally, I'd be happy to tell anyone about what I was wearing, without being embarrassed about wearing counterfeit merch, if they're genuinely interested and asking out of a genuine interest. Heck, even if it was someone trying to 'call me out', I can still point out that, regardless of the watch being a replica, or even its accuracy to any said mode, I personally built it, and with the few friends who have been interested in the project, that has been their focus of interest, rather than the brand on the dial, or the origin of the parts (which they're all fully aware of). Of course, all that being said, I'd rather just not attract the attention in the first place, which is why I went for the vintage aesthetic, rather than a modern watch... You may well be correct about a large percentage of rep owners passing them off as genuine and status symbols, I certainly know one person who is like that, who wears a rep Explorer II (obvious to anyone who knows Rolex, as it has the coronet and Rolex etched into the endlinks of the bracelet...) who seems to think he's a member of (to use his phrase) "the Rolex Club", yet who when we were discussing my project sub, didn't know why the bezel rotated, and upon being told that it was a diver's watch, said he'd be scared to take a Rolex underwater... If he's indicative of the majority of rep owners, then I would certainly agree with you. That said, I don't think it is at all indicative of the majority of the members of the forum As you say, to each his own

[lanikai]

for me it has always been to use "common sense" and wear my collection (rep and gen) to fit the need and occassion..

but first of all .. I don't hang out my arm to get "noticed" and conversley .. i don't wear reps if I know I'm going to an event where I know others will be wearing a lot of genuines (especially Rolex). IN that case I'll wear one of my genuines.

Or if I have a meeting with one of the VP's of the Company I am contracted with I definately tone it down.. Omega.. Tag.

but definately not a genuine or rep that say's "look at what I got on my wrist"... execs. Don't like to think your making enough to afford "that" kinda watch.

In other words.. don't be fearful of wearing reps,your really wearing it for your own satisfaction.. but use descretion..and the ol "common sense".. wearing an AP.. to the office, unless your in a position to afford the real deal.. will only look silly.., wearing the most expensie of reps sometimes may backfire on you..

For everyday running around.. I have my favs.. usually the vintage models.. I went to a Mall today in a neighborhood that is very concious of material things.. but I was still suprised at the younger dudes.. they're eye's went right to my wrists.. they themselves had the usual tags etc. .. I had on my genine vintage Rolex.. "Fat Lady".. and it's fun to watch (pun intended) the look on their face.. cause a Rolex will trumph a 2k Tag all day long..

"No Worry"

A~C

Lani

[TeeJay]

TJ your input always interests me, because I feel like you feel slightly resentful towards gens and the gen industry in general.

I don't think resentful is quite the correct term, although I can certainly understand how it might be perceived as such to someone else. On a personal level, I do not like consumerism, 'brand name worship', or goods being sold for more than their true value. I don't so much 'resent' the industry, as that would suggest that I was jealous of not having the funds to buy the goods, it's more a case of I despise the industry, and wouldn't buy the goods even if I had the cash to do so, as I simply do not feel that they are worth the price tag. A few years back, I nearly bought a gen sub. I had the cash, so that was not the issue, but when I tried it on, I was so utterly unimpressed, there was just no way I would want to spend that much money on something with left me feeling so uninspired. That's what then got me looking for reps, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Yet I wonder why you don't purchase sterile dials if you are not guilty of the same emulation and aspiration to the branding and aspiration to the luxury goods market in general.

On one hand, it is simply a case of aesthetic appreciation and getting the detail as I want them. I might dislike the gen industry, but that does not mean that I dislike the products themselves. I like particular watches, I just don't like them being over-priced for no reason other than corporate greed.

On the other hand, it is a case of availability of parts. If you could point me in the direction of a sterile version of a 1680 dial, and at a better price than I can pick up a cheap rep for, then by all means, please point me in the direction

Please don't confuse my aesthetic appreciation for aspiration to 'the lifestyle'

I think you personally promote the idea of utilitarian usage and enjoyment of the products, however ownership of Replica Rolex and Louis Vuitton would go beyond this!

I disagree, I bought the goods because I liked how they looked, and for utilitarian purposes. My LV messenger from KB has lasted better than many cheaper bags I have previously had. Sure, a strap adjuster snapped when I seriously over-loaded the bag with papers, but other than that, it's as good as the day I unwrapped it, where other bags I've had for a similar period of time became frayed and worn very quickly. I know that I can appear somewhat contradictory, but that is simply an appearance, rather than anything else

Because after all, it is the wearing the rep of a Rolex that has contributed highly to Rolex's renowned global brand status in the first place.

I would disagree, and if anything, suggest that Rolex (and many other prestige products) are the victims of their own success, and the very marketing upon which they rely: Marketing tells people to look a certain way, wear a certain product, live a certain life, but, not everyone can necessarily afford that at the price, so those people, possibly feeling pressured into conformity, are going to seek out the replica goods rather than the real thing, so who is really to blame there? The people who feel the need to have these brandnames to validate themselves, or the companies which make them feel they need to have the brandnames to validate themselves...

[fakemaster]

He said the folks in his country would never ever accept that he could genuinely afford the real deal, despite that the gen version of his great rep watch has an expensive, albeit relatively speaking, not all together exorbitant value.

So if you can't afford a 10 or 20 grand watch buy what you can afford and don't pretend to be someone your not, you are only selling out yourself.

That pretty much covers that.

you're forgetting most people won't ever even notice. Think about it; before you had the interest in watches you do now, did you really look at other peoples wrists in public?

Preachin' to the choir my friend.

Visiting high end watch stores where theres a higher chance of a rep being spotted. Also I think its bad manners to wear a fake to an AD anyway.

AD clerks are clueless.

65-70% of Americans are middle class

That is why i never wore the reps out of the house,

No sense in owning something you never wear.

Idiots buy cars outright

Anyone else here just been called an idiot too?

[fcaap_dan]

I figured it was my little secret, as my daily life includes circles of college educated, predominantly middle class American peers with moderate incomes, where most of the affluent folks around here wear rolexes (and that's about were their high end watch familiarity ends). IMO, only a select few group of people recognize, identify, and conceive the potential value/worth/or possess the acumen to question authenticity of a great rep.

These are exactly the people that can't afford anything they own.

They have a $25,000 in student loans, a $30k car that they sell the moment it's paid off instead of saving 5 years to buy a car outright and save up for the next one, and a $200k mortgage that the second the interest rate went up they couldn't afford their house.

I wouldn't find it odd that someone might have a $10k Rollie. If they walk up with a $40k watch I might raise my eyebrow.

[wombat247]

I also recently read about cartel involvement in the manufacture of replica handbags, shoes and watches and the human rights issues that go along with them. Children forced to work, mothers, daughters and older people forced to work for little pay and punishment. The rep industry supports some of the most violent and ruthless criminals in the world and all for what? so we can feel a bit better about ourselves wearing a "faux" rolex or whatever the brand? It is plain selfish and a movement i do not want to be part of anymore.

The same is true of almost everything you buy from Walmart, Kmart, Home Depot, Target, Lowes and every other "box" store.

So if you can't afford a 10 or 20 grand watch buy what you can afford and don't pretend to be someone your not, you are only selling out yourself.

On a second note, i have a leased cls63 amg, doesn't mean i can't afford it but for tax purposes it works out better Idiots buy cars outright (unless its a collector e.g. rolls royce).... Most heavily depreciating items known to man.

How about buying a car off a 3 year lease? Most of the depreciation happens in the first year anyway. The last Jeep I bought was off a 3 year lease and I sold it for $6k less than I paid for it 4 years later. I only sold it because it was a 6 cylinder and lacked the power I need. My other car is a 94 Jeep. I paid $7k for it 11 years ago. It's still running strong and I have no plans to get rid of it. My other car is a 2005 Suburban for which I paid 66% of the list price and I intend to keep it at least another 10 years. My other other car is a '79 Alfa Romeo for which I paid $3k 15 years ago. After 10 years, an owned car is fully depreciated and a properly maintained car will last twice that long. This might not be an option for you if your car is necessary to for the maintenance of your self esteem. Personally, I don't give a rat's ass what car people drive and don't give a rat's ass about people who care what I drive. I've always said that the people who are impressed by material objects are not worth impressing in the first place.

I don't know about your math but I know about mine. You can make all the arguments you want but leasing ANY Benz is a waste of money. If you can afford it, great, but don't insult our intelligence by asserting that there's any economy in leasing a car- let alone a Benz. The truth is that leasing a car for 3 years costs as much out of pocket as owning a car for 6 (assuming a 38% tax bracket and intelligent financing of the purchased car). When you lease a car, you are personally paying for the first year of depreciation.

I'm not going to run around calling other people "idiots" simply because they have different buying choices than I do, but you really think about what you say before you lip off. Fortunately for me and the entertainment of all who read my posts, I don't instill any such restrictions on what I say.

Of course, it's always possible that you don't know what the hell you're talking about most of the time anyway.

[bluerex]

Interesting topic.

I can certainly see both sides of the fence but chose to wear my reps everywhere except ADs and some work functions.

My first 'nice' watch was a gen Tag Carrera and from that point on I knew I would never be able to wear a fashion watch (CK, Guess, Nixon, etc). To sustain the addiction to nice watches, I could go and get a few more gens but the thought of spending 5-10k per watch when I have a house to pay off.....well, it just didn't make much sense.

I am sure that most people with steady incomes are able to afford gen timepieces but chose not to spend their money on watches as there are other more suitable and more important areas of their lives that take up the needed funds.

After becoming really interested in watches I would not be happy with just 1 or 2 gens and here is where reps come in. Owning a rep is a great way to enjoy the design and uniqueness of gen timepieces without spending a fortune. The reps that I own are limited to 'semi-affordable' brands like Panerai, Omega, Breitling and IWC. I would not wear a Breguet, for example.

There is no questions that I would rather own gens but this simply is not practical. Once in a while I do stop and think about the whole rep scene and question my personal thoughts and intentions but at this point in my life, I am not able to settle on a particular watch and reps are the only way to keep the fire burning.

[wombat247]

Now to answer the OP's post.

I wear reps for very good reason. After buying dozens of gen watches over the past 10 years, I got disgusted by the fact that MOST of them are nothing more than polished ETA movements inside and under well-designed cases and dials. Most of the reps I buy are indistinguishable from the gen. Especially when I'm in the company of 99.9% of the real world who don't know the first thing about watches- gen or rep. Most importantly, they fool ME. Maybe I'm lying to myself, but I take great satisfaction in wearing a good looking, well made, well finished wristwatch. I frankly don't care if it's a rep or not I'm happy knowing that I'm paying what I think is a fair price for a good watch. Granted that reps aren't breaking any new ground but it's only a matter of time before the companies making reps start making their own brands and bring us better watches than ever.

Furthermore, there's service. I have a gen sea-dweller and I've had it for 8 years or so. Recently, the 12 o'clock marker fell off. That's right- fell off- for no good reason. Guess what? I have to send it to Rolex to get fixed. Guess what? It's not covered by warranty. Guess what? They'll insist on doing a complete service on it- replace gaskets, stem, crown, tube and pressure test it. Guess what else? It's going to cost 3 times as much as the best available sea-dweller rep today. Is it worth it? Maybe.

Many of the people who know me well know that I'm big on reps. When I show them a watch they haven't seen before, their first question is usually, "is it real?". They're not asking me if I'm a fake or not. They know my gen collection is extensive. They're asking me because they're AMAZED that they can't tell the difference. They're AMAZED at the quality of reps available. They also know gd well that I'm not trying to impress anyone with my wealth- I'm only interested in sharing my interest in quality timepieces. Modern reps (super reps) are truly remarkable works of engineering. They warrant interest and attention based on that fact alone. In my opinion, if you're going to walk around suggesting to people that your reps are anything but reps, you're a real loser in the purest sense of the word. I suspect that most of the people on this and other rep forums are doing anything but that.

My other issue was that I was buying gens that I "had to have" and wearing them for a few hours once a month. I'm not made of money and can't afford to be doing that while having all the watches I want.

I admit there's something wrong with me. I see someone wearing X watch and I want one. I see X watch in a movie and I want one. I see X watch in an ad and I want one. With reps, I can keep those watches on hand and afford to do so. Some of you have seen much of my collection. It's ridiculous. Most of the watches sit idle until one of the aforementioned scenarios occurs and I take it out of the case and wear it before putting it back for an indefinite period.

All that said, 90% of the time when I go out in public, I wear a gen. I have about 20 that are in regular circulation and I think that's an excessive number of watches for anyone to wear. I wear them instead of reps because of three main reasons: 1. They have a movement or complication which isn't being repped with the expectation that if someone DOES happen to show an interest in my watch, I can show them something special or something they haven't seen before. 2. The case is made of a precious metal (if you think white gold is the same as SS, try wearing it. Even in a dark room, you'd NEVER confuse the two). 3. It's actually purpose built and has been tested by a reliable manufacturer to do what it has been advertised to do. (I'll wear a rep dive watch swimming but I wouldn't wear one diving).

Furthermore, I limit myself to gens in public because I think anyone who owns a lot of watches is demonstrating only one personality trait- they like to spend money- period. Admittedly, I like to spend money. However, I'm not too proud of this fact. I don't know if any of you watch Mythbusters but if you do, you've probably noticed Adam's extensive watch collection. You've probably also noticed that Jamie wears the same watch over and over (some cheap black plastic POS). You've probably ALSO notice that Adam is an idiot and that Jamie is the brains of the operation. Think of that before you ram around wearing a different watch like most people wear a different channel on cable.

I've typed too much. Flame away.

[danzeman22]

The same is true of almost everything you buy from Walmart, Kmart, Home Depot, Target, Lowes and every other "box" store. How about buying a car off a 3 year lease? Most of the depreciation happens in the first year anyway. The last Jeep I bought was off a 3 year lease and I sold it for $6k less than I paid for it 4 years later. I only sold it because it was a 6 cylinder and lacked the power I need. My other car is a 94 Jeep. I paid $7k for it 11 years ago. It's still running strong and I have no plans to get rid of it. My other car is a 2005 Suburban for which I paid 66% of the list price and I intend to keep it at least another 10 years. My other other car is a '79 Alfa Romeo for which I paid $3k 15 years ago. After 10 years, an owned car is fully depreciated and a properly maintained car will last twice that long. This might not be an option for you if your car is necessary to for the maintenance of your self esteem. Personally, I don't give a rat's ass what car people drive and don't give a rat's ass about people who care what I drive. I've always said that the people who are impressed by material objects are not worth impressing in the first place.I don't know about your math but I know about mine. You can make all the arguments you want but leasing ANY Benz is a waste of money. If you can afford it, great, but don't insult our intelligence by asserting that there's any economy in leasing a car- let alone a Benz. The truth is that leasing a car for 3 years costs as much out of pocket as owning a car for 6 (assuming a 38% tax bracket and intelligent financing of the purchased car). When you lease a car, you are personally paying for the first year of depreciation. I'm not going to run around calling other people "idiots" simply because they have different buying choices than I do, but you really think about what you say before you lip off. Fortunately for me and the entertainment of all who read my posts, I don't instill any such restrictions on what I say.Of course, it's always possible that you don't know what the hell you're talking about most of the time anyway.

I live in Australia, and we pay considerably different tax rates to wherever you are from. So lets just shut that discussion down.

Big box stores pay taxes, taxes which go back into the community i would say thats a big difference between the cartels which load up the rep world

[ammandel]

A few years back, I nearly bought a gen sub. I had the cash, so that was not the issue, but when I tried it on, I was so utterly unimpressed, there was just no way I would want to spend that much money on something with left me feeling so uninspired.

I don't think the feeling of owning a gen can be realised 'trying it on' in the AD, if you had owned one then sold it a little while later.. I would have understood.

If you could point me in the direction of a sterile version of a 1680 dial, and at a better price than I can pick up a cheap rep for, then by all means, please point me in the direction

This is a complex point to discuss, perhaps you like the 1680 dial not because of the design but because of the associated heritage of the original piece itself, branding, marketing and all! You'd really have seen a normal

[wombat247]

I live in Australia, and we pay considerably different tax rates to wherever you are from. So lets just shut that discussion down.

Big box stores pay taxes, taxes which go back into the community i would say thats a big difference between the cartels which load up the rep world

When I mentioned box stores, I wasn't talking about taxes at all. I was talking about the labor used to build the stuff they sell. "Made in China" means they use the same atrocious labor practices to build the stuff you see in box stores as they use to build quality reps. Academically, nobody likes these practices yet they get all amnesiac when their currency is doing the talking.

[danzeman22]

When I mentioned box stores, I wasn't talking about taxes at all. I was talking about the labor used to build the stuff they sell. "Made in China" means they use the same atrocious labor practices to build the stuff you see in box stores as they use to build quality reps. Academically, nobody likes these practices yet they get all amnesiac when their currency is doing the talking.

Big box store selling chinese products i get that. So when a big box store e.g. walmart, kmart etc.... they pay taxes, which in turn benefit the community in which they are sold, so the money is flowing in a positive direction. Unlike the counterfeit market which has 70 to 80 percent flowing into cartels which operate in people smuggling, black mail, sweat shops, drug trafficking etc.... Drawing parallels to an illegal sweat shop and say a vietnamese nike production facility of today is well i guess pulling the long bow yet again.

[dbutlerman]

Hey guys...just wanted to add my $.02 (I've always wanted to type that but never had the opportunity ). Anyways, I have several reps, a couple of Rollies, an IWC 3717 and a couple of Omegas. I don't really pay any attention to when I am wearing the Omegas or the IWC, as the Omegas aren't as "well known" as the Rolex's and I don't think many people know that what an IWC is or how much a Gen would cost...don't get me wrong, I wear the Rolex's (a GMT II Pepsi, and a GMT IIc) a lot, but if I am going to a meeting or wear I don't want to look like I've got too much money, like when I am trying to get a great deal on buying something expensive (like my new DSLR ) I wear one of the Omega's or the 3717.

[danzeman22]

O and if you don't care about the brand and just like the design. here is a great new submariner

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SUBMARINER-STEEL-AUTOMATIC-MEN-WATCH-GERMAN_W0QQitemZ230369304165QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Watches?hash=item35a3149e65&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14